William Spier
William Spier (October 16, 1906 – May 30, 1973)[1] was an American writer, producer and director for television and radio. He is best known for his radio work, notably Suspense and The Adventures of Sam Spade.
Born in New York City, Spier began his career on the editorial staff of Musical America magazine, eventually becoming its chief critic.
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[edit] Radio
His radio career began in 1929, when he produced and directed The Atwater Kent Hour, an hour-long Sunday night presentation of Metropolitan Opera artists. In 1936, Spier created The March of Time, which was to become a radio landmark. Among the many stars associated with the program were Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Van Heflin, Agnes Moorehead, Jeanette Nolan, Nancy Kelly and Everett Sloane.
Spier was chief of the writers' department and director of development at CBS in 1940, when he was co-producer of Suspense and Duffy's Tavern. In 1947, he won a Mystery Writers of America award for The Adventures of Sam Spade.
[edit] Television
In 1952, Spier introduced TV's first 90-minute show, Omnibus, for CBS. In 1953, he produced Willy for his wife, actress June Havoc (1913–2010), under the auspices of Desilu, on CBS. (Spier was previously married to singer Kay Thompson, from 1942 until 1947.)[1] Spier's knowledge of music was encyclopedic, and he was a skillful and sensitive pianist with a deep love for Chopin. In early 1947, they met when she was a guest star on one of his radio shows. He and Havoc were married from 1947 until his death. He died aged 66 at the home he shared with Havoc in Weston, Connecticut.[2]
[edit] Awards
Spier won numerous awards, including the Writers Guild of America for best script of the year in 1962 for his two-part script for TV's The Untouchables. He was the recipient of three Peabody awards.
